Fetal Cardiology Program
About the program
The growing Fetal Cardiology program at Children’s Hospital New Orleans provides expert anatomic and functional assessments of the tiniest of hearts - particularly the fetuses of new mothers with family or personal histories of cardiac defects, rhythm disturbances, or other abnormal findings detected by their obstetrician. We have one of the most experienced teams in Louisiana and the Gulf South.
Our experienced Fetal Cardiologists work closely with the Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists, Obstetricians, Neonatologists, Cardiac Intensivists, and Congenital Heart Surgeons to help provide the highest level of care for these babies with cardiac abnormalities during pregnancy, labor and delivery and the neonatal period.
Detailed consultations help diagnose cardiac abnormalities in utero, and if necessary, prepare the family, the obstetric providers and The Heart Center team with a delivery and transport plan, hospital tour, information about the baby’s cardiac diagnosis and a meeting with the cardiac surgeons, when necessary.
The fetal cardiologists work closely with the perinatologists, neonatologists and congenital heart surgeons to provide the highest level of care for babies with a cardiac abnormality during pregnancy, labor and delivery and in the neonatal period.
As part of our comprehensive program, mothers with fetuses affected with critical congenital heart disease are offered the opportunity to meet with our cardiac surgeons, Home Monitoring Team and lactation specialists and are provided with a tour of our state-of-the-art Cardiac Critical Care Unit.
What makes us different?
- Advanced fetal imaging
- Experts in fetal cardiology care
- Multidisciplinary team
- State-of-the-art cardiac ICU (CICU)
- Fetal Red-Carpet visits
- Experienced cardiac surgeons well-versed in congenital heart disease
Choosing us gives your baby a fighting chance
When our team diagnoses a congenital heart defect or arrhythmia prenatally, it gives us time to prepare for all possible scenarios to ensure your baby has the best possible outcome. With access to an array of the most sophisticated fetal diagnostic technology available, we can detect heart conditions as soon as they arise – as early as 18 weeks. As a result, we can create birthing and treatment plans to meet the specific needs of both you and your baby.
At CHOLA, we are at the forefront of fetal cardiology, providing a full continuum of services, positioned to care for your baby at birth and treat them as they grow into children and young adults.
We understand learning your baby has a heart defect can be overwhelming, but we will be by your side every step of the way. Our multi-disciplinary approach to fetal cardiology is unparalleled in our life-changing and life-saving care for the tiniest of hearts.
What to expect when referred to The Fetal Cardiology Program?
Upon being referred to our Fetal Cardiology program, you will be assigned a coordinator who will be there with you ever step of the way.
At your first appointment, you will receive a:
- Fetal echocardiogram to evaluate your baby’s heart
- A high-resolution ultrasound with a maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialist to assess the whole baby. This includes a growth check and an anatomy scan that provides a comprehensive picture of all the baby’s structures.
If a defect is detected, mothers are closely monitored throughout their pregnancy by the fetal cardiologist and perinatologist. A careful birth plan is created at the first visit and updated as needed based on follow-up visits.
Families are offered a Fetal Red-Carpet visit which includes assessment by a fetal cardiologist with the opportunity to meet with a cardiac surgeon if necessary to discuss their specific child’s congenital heart defect repair, a lactation specialist, the home monitoring team when applicable as well as receive a tour of the cardiac ICU.
For patients who come from out of town, the Red-Carpet day also includes a coordinated visit with an MFM and a meeting with a NICU intensivist (both at Touro). After reviewing the Fetal Echo and the ultrasounds, if a defect is not confirmed or high-risk perinatal care is not required, the mom will be sent back to her general obstetrician for management of her pregnancy.
Locations
To make an appointment with our fetal cardiology team or to get a second opinion, please call 504.896.9289.
Main Campus
Children’s Hospital New Orleans
200 Henry Clay Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70118
Northshore
Children's Hospital Pediatrics, Specialty Care, & Outpatient Therapy
- Covington
5025 Keystone Blvd. Suite 100
Covington, LA 70433
Baton Rouge
Children's Hospital Specialty Care - Baton Rouge
9001 Summa Ave., Suite 342
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Alexandria
Children's Hospital Pediatric Cardiology Clinic - Alexandria
1268 Southampton Dr.
Alexandria, LA 71303
Bay St. Louis
Children's Hospital Specialty Care - Mississippi
835 Thames Ave.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
